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Guest Blog - Becoming a Virtual Assistant: Excitement, Challenges and Trusting the Process

by Emma Plumb – Emma – Your Virtual Assistant


I heard about Virtual Assistance a few years ago and thought it something I could do alongside my  full-time job, with the goal of eventually leaving corporate. Well, I didn’t quit in the end, corporate quit me. So, in 2024 I launched Emma Your Virtual Assistant. It’s been exciting, it’s been challenging  and I am learning to trust the process. So, I thought it would be good to give an honest and personal outlook on the journey to becoming a VA. 


Exciting times 

Deciding to become a VA is exciting and scary. I was part of a great course and community that provided everything I needed to become a VA and supported me throughout the process and still  does today. You may have started on your own or like me been part of a course, the set up and  process is similar whatever you do. The fun starts with choosing your name, then you get to create a  logo and choose your beautiful colours that represent you and your brand. Your services are up to  date in your portfolio and you have fine-tuned your social media pages. 


In all that excitement you pause and daydream about life as your own boss. But it’s not just  dreaming, it’s thinking about how you want your working life to be. Remembering your why and  setting goals is important in everything you do. My thoughts always drift towards working a four-day week and being more present at home, probably familiar for a lot of people; working for a secure  family life is important for all of us. I still struggle with deciding on a niche, I don’t have one yet.  Many people know exactly who they want to work with whether it’s in coaching, estate agencies,  medical field, or fitness. The list is endless. I’ve decided that until I’ve worked in different industries and roles, I can’t choose. But when it happens, it will probably be a light bulb moment, and I’ll think, “Why on earth didn’t I realise this sooner?” 


Challenges 

Before you know it you are announcing to your community that you are a VA, scary stuff, yes? No,  it’s not. It’s exactly what you have been working towards, your brand is ready and you can tell the  world that you are a VA! 


When my social media announcement went live, I was excited but nervous, no turning back, it was  now real. The anticipation and joy of seeing notifications where people have liked or shared your  post or even better followed your page. I loved watching the numbers go up, it meant so much to  me that people had taken time to read my post and had clicked to follow me.  


I thought this was it! Now that people knew what I did the work would flood in. I thought it was  going to be easy and my clients would now just fall into place.  


I was lucky - one client came along with a twenty-hour project. First client boom, happy days! But it  wasn’t recurring work; it was a one off with strong potential for more later. Still, I was very grateful. 


In our VA community we had group calls each week to discuss our progress, which of course I dreaded. I was pleased for my fellow VAs they were finding new clients so easily and regularly  jumping on discovery calls. But I would finish these calls, rant for a bit and have a bit of a cry, what  was I doing wrong, how come I couldn’t find these leads and opportunities. I’m lucky as even though  the course has finished, we have stayed together as a community and continue to support each  other’s VA journeys. 


Even though it wasn’t easy and the next client felt like a dream I still kept going. Sending out my  messages to people I knew, WhatsApp contacts, LinkedIn followers and Facebook connections. My  comfort zone was challenged further with networking, joining groups and chatting with people, no self-promotion but getting to know people and providing them with some kind of value so you stand  out and people remember you. It’s a daily ritual, networking, commenting, responding to job opps and completing forms. The ritual does start to feel like a daily grind and sometimes I would think is  this really right for me, my skill sets don’t stand out, how long do I give it until I start looking for an  office job etc. It was all so overwhelming and emotional, but for some reason I kept going! 


Trusting the Process 

Everyone that starts out as a VA has been through the same thought process, even the busiest VAs  had to start somewhere. The coaches we follow on social media that train VAs all looked for clients  at some point in their journey.  


Keep going, embrace all the motivation and support that comes your way. From something as simple  as adding comments on a post that says “it's Friday celebrate your wins”. It’s completing your  content for the week, learning a new skill or even getting your kids to school on time everyday this  week. It’s not all about celebrating a new client. Remember it’s all networking and building your  relationships, be honest and real rather than just blending into the comments. 


Take a step back and remember what you learned in the beginning – go back to your ‘Why’.  


It may take time for everything to fall into place but you have to keep going. Personally, I am making  slow but steady progress, I stay consistent and persistent, maintaining my content and outreach. I  know this is improving my brand awareness and visibility. I’m determined to keep going – I know  that I’ll soon be a Virtual Assistant working a four-day week!!  


Emma – Your Virtual Assistant supports Mumpreneurs and entrepreneurs who could use an extra  pair of hands (or just a little breathing space). Helping them with Social Media Management,  Customer Service, General Admin and WooCommerce support. You can find me here:


Emma Plumb 

Emma – Your Virtual Assistant 


You can follow me here:



Bio 

With over 20 years of experience in customer service, payment technology, digital marketing, and  business management, I’ve built a career focused on helping businesses thrive. Originally from the  UK, I’ve called the beautiful island of Mauritius home for the past 20 years. Balancing life as a mum  of two and running my own business, I’ve learnt the value of effective organisation, adaptability, and  a touch of creativity.


I founded Emma Your Virtual Assistant to empower female entrepreneurs, mumpreneurs, and small  business owners to focus on what they do best—growing their business—while I handle the day-to day tasks behind the scenes. 


Throughout my career, I’ve refined my ability to solve problems, streamline processes, and build  meaningful relationships. I combine professionalism and efficiency with a personal touch, ensuring  my clients feel supported and confident in their business operations. 


I understand the challenges of balancing work, life, and ambition. That’s why I created a service that  allows business owners to focus on what truly matters. Whether it’s scaling your business, spending  more time with family, or simply finding breathing space, I’m here to help make it happen. 






This blog was prepared by Emma Plumb in their personal capacity. The opinions expressed in this blog are  the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Kayleigh Johnstone or COZ PR.



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